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Abstract:

The last 15 years has been an intense period of discovery, witnessing the completion of the Human Genome Project, the creation of new sequencing technologies and the formation of international consortia to describe the genomes and transcriptomes of primary cancers. Opportunities that emerged locally from the advance of genome-scale technology during this time period will be discussed, as will possibilities for future areas of focus.

Bio:

Dr. Marra is the UBC Canada Research Chair in Genome Science, and a member of the Order of British Columbia. He is a recipient of the 2015 Dr. Chew Wei Memorial Prize in Cancer Research, a 2013 UBC Killam Research Prize, a 2012 UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Medal of Merit Award from the International Association of Lions Club. He was elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2009; received the Frontiers in Research Award from the BC Innovation Council in 2008; and was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2007. He was a recipient of a Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence, a MSFHR Career Investigator Senior Scholar Award, and Simon Fraser University President’s 40th Anniversary Award. In 2004, he received a Terry Fox Young Investigator Award and BC Biotech’s Innovation and Achievement Award (together with the entire GSC staff) for sequencing the SARS coronavirus genome.

Dr. Marra’s contributions to genome science led to an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University in 2004 and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Calgary in 2005.